Tubing head



June 2, 1936. w. N. THOMPSON TUBING HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5,1934 .Zbran/aw M a Z 2 Tc Mm p. W

June 2, w. N, TH M ON TUBING HEAD Filed March 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE TUBING HEAD Walter N.Thompson, La Habra, Calif.

Application March 5,

7 Claim.

This invention relates to heads for wells and relates more particularlyto tubing heads for oil and gas wells. It is a general object of thepresent invention to provide a simple, practical and efiective welltubing head.

Tubing heads are provided on the upper ends of the casings of producingoil and gas wells to carry the tubing and to deliver the oil and gas tosuitable lines or pipes connected therewith. The tubing heads that havebeen introduced have been constructed so that they must be disconnectedand removed from the upper end of the well casing when it is desired torun tools into the wells or to remove the tubing. The removal of atubing head from the well casing necessitates the disconnection of thepipes for carrying the oil and gas from the head and is usually a moreor less diflicult and prolonged operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tubing head that mayremain on the well casing when tools are run into the well and when theoil tubing is removed from or run into the well. The tubing headprovided by the present invention has an unobstructed opening as largeor larger than that in the well casing and that is adapted to readilypass tubing catchers and other tools so that the head and the pipesconnected therewith do not have to be disconnected from the well whentools are to be run into the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tubing head constructionincluding a nipple member attached to the upper end of the well tubinghaving a flange or enlargement seated in the body of the head to supportthe string of tubing, said member having an enlarged head readilyengageable by an elevator, thereby facilitating the lifting and handlingof the tubing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tubing head of thecharacter mentioned in which the nipple member for supporting the stringof tubing on the body of the head effectively divides or separates theinterior of the body into upper and lower chambers or portions wherebythe gas from the casing may directly discharge from a pipe communicatingwith the lower internal portion of the head and the liquid or oil fromthe tubing may directly discharge through a pipe communicating with theupper interior portion of the body.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tubing head of thecharacter mentioned in which the upper portion of the body is threadedto receive a cap for carrying a stumsng box,

1934, Serial No. 714,034

which cap is removable to render the lifting nipple accessible forengagement by an elevator and to permit an improved split spider to bethreaded into the body for temporarily or optionally supporting thestring of tubing when the tubing is to be pulled from the well or runinto the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tubing head that iseasy and convenient to install and use and that is simple andinexpensive of manufacture.

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical forms andapplications of the invention, throughout which description referencewill be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional view of one form of tubing headprovided by the present inventlon, showing it on the upper end of a wellcasing and carrying the nipple member for supporting the tubing and thecap and stufling box for sealing about the polish rod. Fig. 2 is afragmentary vertical sectional view of the head with the cap removed,illustrating the method of engaging the nipple by an elevator. Fig. 3 isa vertical detailed sectional view of the head while carrying the spiderand slips for supporting the tubing. Fig. 4 is a reduced transversedetailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5is a vertical sectional view of another form or application of theinvention, and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectionalview taken as indicated by line 6-43 onFig. 5.

The tubing head provided by the invention includes, generally, a body I[I adapted to be attached to the upper end of a well casing C, a nipplemember ll adapted to be attached to the upper end of the tubing T tosupport the tubing on the body Ill, and a spider I2 to be attached tothe body l0, when the nipple member I I is Withdrawn from the body, tocarry slips S for engaging and supporting the tubing T.

The body I0 is an elongate tubular member to be attached to the upperend of the well casing C. The central longitudinal opening l3 of thebody I0 is in vertical and longitudinal alignment with the opening ofthe casing C and its lower portion i4 is screw threaded to receive thethreaded upper end of the casing. An annular upwardly facing shoulder orseat I5 is provided on the wall of the body opening l3 and is spacedbetween the opposite ends of the body. The seat I5 is preferablyinclined downwardly and inwardly as illustrated throughout the drawings.Due to the provision of the shoulder 15, the upper portion of the bodyopening I3 is of enlarged diameter. It is a feature of the Inventionthat the body III has an unobstructed opening II as large as or largerthan the opening in the well casing C. The upper end portion I6 oi thebody opening may be threaded to receive the cap I1 and the spider I2. I

The cap I! is removably connected with the body III. In the particularform of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the cap I1 isthreaded into the upper portion I6 of the body opening. The cap I1 maybe comparatively long and its upper end portion may be reduced to carrythe stufling box "for sealing about the polish rod P of the string ofsucker rod, or pump rod R. The cap I! and stufllng box I8 normally closeoff the upper end of the body I I) and the cap I! is adapted to beremoved or disconnected from the body when the tubing is to be removedfrom the well or when tools are to be run into the well casing C. Inaccordance with the invention, outlet openings are provided in the wallsof the body Ill. The opening I3 for the passage or discharge of gas fromthe casing C communicates with the body opening I3 at a point below theseat I6 and is adapted to receive the end of a suitable line or pipe 20.The opening 2| for the discharge of the liquid or oil from the body I0communicates with the interior of the body at a point spaced above theseat I5 and is adapted to receive the end of a conduit 22.

The nipple member I I is adapted to be attached to the upper end of thetubing T and nor,- mally supports the string of tubing on the shoulderor seat I5 of the body Ill. The nipple member I I is an elongate tubularpart having a central longitudinal opening 23 extending through it fromone end to the other. The lower end portion of the opening 23 isthreaded to receive or connect with the threaded upper end of the tubingT. The member I I extends centrally through the opening I3 of the bodyand is sufliciently long to project a substantial distance into the capII. In accordance with the invention, the nipple member I I is providedwith a supporting and sealing flange or enlargement 24 adapted tocooperate with the seat I5 of the body. The flange or enlargement 24 iscontinuous or annular and is comparatively heavy. In accordance with thepreferred construction, the enlargement 24 of the nipple member isspaced some distance above the lower end of the member and has aninclined lower end 25 operatable to evenly engage or rest on the seatI5. The flange or enlargement 24 is proportioned so as to be readilypassed into the upper portion of the body opening I3 with suitableclearance. Packing means is provided on the enlargement 24 to seal withthe seat I5. A ring 26 of packing is carried in an annular groove in thelower face 25 of the enlargement to seal with the seat I5.

The weight of the string of tubing T holds the enlargement 24 in tightsealing engagement with the body seat l5. It is to be noted that theflange or enlargement 24 of the nipple member efiectively separates andpacks off the two opposite end portions of the body opening I3 anddependably supports the string of tubing T on the body shoulder I5. Ahead 30 is provided on the upper end of the nipple member II and itslower end is adapted to be engaged by a suitable elevator E, or thelike. The head 30 is spaced a considerable distance above the upper endof the body I0. When the cap I! is disconnected from the body III, thehead 3i!v is readily engageable by the elevator E in the manner clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings to facilitate the quickeasy'lifting oi the tubing T. During pumping of the well or flowing ofthe well, the oil-flows upwardly through the tubing T and dischargesfrom the upper end of the nipple member I I into the cap I1 and iscarried oil by the pipe 22, communicating with the upper end portion ofthe body opening. The gas flowing upwardly through the casing C iscarried off by the pipe 20 connecting with the lower end portion of thebody opening I3 below the enlargement 24 of the nipple member.

The spider I2 is adapted to be employed on the body III while pullingthe tubing T from the well or while lowering tubing into the well. Thespider I2 is operatable to carry slips S for gripping and supporting thetubing. In accordance with the invention the spider I2 is adapted to beattached to the upper end of the body. I0 when the cap I1 is removedfrom the body and the tubing T has been raised a suflicient distance tolift the nipple member II clear of the body. It is a feature of thepresent invention that the spider I2 is a split tubular structureadapted to be assembled around the tubing T for ready connection withthe body III. The spider I2 includes two complementary semi-circularsections 3|. The lower portions 32 of the sections 3| are threaded sothat the spider may be threaded into the upper portion I6 of the bodyopening when the sections 3i are assembled or connected in properregistration. Dowels or pins 33 project from one section 3| and areadapted to be received in sockets in the other section to hold thesections against relative longitudinal movement when assembled aroundthe tubing and while being threaded into the body opening. Openings orsockets 34 may be provided in the sections 3i of the spider to receivesuitable turning tools.

The central longitudinal opening 35 in the sectional spider I2 isoperatable to pass the tubing T with suitable clearance, and its upperportion 36 is in the nature of a downwardly and inwardly inclined seatto carry the slips S. The slips S are adapted to be removably positionedon the seat 36 so as to dependably grip and support the tubing T. Theinner sides of the slips S are provided with serrations or teeth 40 forgripping the tubing T. The outer sides of the slips S are rounded andare inclined downwardly and inwardly to effectively cooperate with theseat 36.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the tubing headprovided by the present invention will be readily understood from theforegoing detailed description. When the well is flowing or is beingpumped, the cap I1 and stuffing box I8 close the upper end of the tubinghead body I0 and the enlargement 24 of the nipple member cooperates withthe body seat I5 to dependably suspend or support the string of tubingon the body and to divide or separate the upper and lower portions ofthe body opening I3. The stuifing box I8 seals and-packs about thereciprocating polish rod P of the string of pump rod R. The upwardlyflowing oil passes through the nipple member II and discharges from itsupper end into the cap I! to flow out of the pipe 22. The gas from thewell casing C discharges through the pipe 20 which is in communicationwith the body opening I3 at a point below the seat I5.

In the event that it is desired to run tools into the well or to pullthe tubing T from the well, the cap I! is disconnected from the body IDto render the upper end portion of the nipple member ll accessible.After disconnection of the cap I! from the body the head "of the nipplemember may be engaged by the elevator E for the lifting or raising ofthe nipple member and string of tubing connected therewith. As thenipple member H is not connected with the body ill but merely has itsenlargement 24 resting on the seat Ii, it may be easily and quicklypulled out of the body without anyother manipulation. After removal ofthe nipple member II from the body I the spider I 2 may be assembledaround the projecting upper portion of the tubing T and threaded intothe upper end It of the body. The slips 8 may then be arranged in thespider l2 to support the tubing T during the disconnection of the tubingas it is pulled from the well. The spider I2 and slips 8 also areadapted tossupport the string of tubing when it is again lowered intothe well. It is to be particularly noted that the body III of the tubinghead provided by the present invention does not have to be detached fromthe well casing 0 when tools are to be run into the well or when thetubing'is to be pulled from the well. The opening l3 of the body islarger than the opemng in the casing C and is unobstructed after theremoval of the nipple member H to provide for the easy passage of tools,etc., into the well. The cap I! is easily detached from the body ill topermit the lifting engagement of the elevator E with the head 30 of thenipple member I I. The spider I! may be easily and quickly assembledaround the tubing and connected with the body I0 and may be readilyremoved when it is desired to again position the nipple member ii on theseat I 5. The tubing head of the present invention is simple andinexpensive of manufacture, and permits the operation of tools into thewell and the removal of the tubing from the well without the necessityof disconnecting the body of the head or the pipes connected therewith.

The application or embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5and 6 of the drawings includes means for positively holding the string.

of tubing T against upward movement. A tubular member or sub 50 isinterposed between the nipple member ii and the reduced neck of the capH. The sub 50 is adapted to be threaded into the reduced upper end orneck of the cap li. The lower end of the sub 50 is adapted to engage andbear downwardly against the upper end of the nipple member H. Theengaging or cooperating faces of the sub 50 and nipple member ll may bebeveled as at 5| In accordance with the invention the sub 50 passes thepolish rod P with substantial clearance. The portion of the sub 50within the cap I? is perforated or provided with a multiplicity ofopenings 52 to permit the fluid pumped or flowing upwardly through thetubing T to freely discharge into the body Ill. The portion of the sub50 projecting upwardly from the cap i! may be enlarged and provided witha' threaded socket 53 for the reception of the threaded lower end of thestufiing box iii.

In some cases it may be desirable or necessary to positively hold thestring of tubing T against upward movement, for example, where high gaspressures exist in a well it may be necessary to prevent the string oftubing T from being blown from the well. When the string of tubing T isto be held down the sub 50 is threaded downwardly into the neck of thecap I! so that its lower end engages the upper end of the sub to holdthe flange enlargement 24 in tight cooperation with the shoulder l5. Itwill be apparent how the sub effectively holds the string of tubing Tagainst upward movement and retains the enlargement 24 in engagementwith the shoulder IS. The stuillng box l8 may be threaded into the upperend of the sub BI to seal about the polish rod P in the usual manner.

Having described only typical forms and applications of my invention, Ido not wish to be restricted or limited to the specific forms andapplications herein set forth. but wish to reserve to myself anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the artor fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A tubing head, including a body to be attached to a well casing andhaving a vertical opening communicating with the casing, an upwardlyfacing seat on the wall of the opening, a removable cap on the upper endof the body, a tubular member adapted to be attached to the upper end ofa string of tubing in the well, a part on the member cooperating withthe seat to support the string of tubing, the member projecting from thebody into the cap, and a head on the member within the cap shaped forexternal engagement by an elevator when the cap is removed.

2. A tubing head, including a body to be attached to a well casing andhaving a vertical opening communicating with the casing, an upwardlyfacing seat on the wall of the opening, there being a port in the wallof the body for the discharge of gas communicating with said openingbelow the seat and a port in the body wall for the discharge of liquidcommunicating with the said opening above the seat, a tubular memberadapted to be connected to the upper end of a string of tubing in thewell to conduct liquid upwardly therefrom, a shoulder on the memberremovably seated on the seat to suspend the said string and to separatethe portions of said opening above and below the seat, and a tubularelement threadedly connected with the body and cooperating with themember to hold the shoulder on the seat and communicating with themember, the element being adapted to receive a pump rod and having alateral port in its wall for discharging liquid into said opening abovethe seat.

3. A tubing head for use on the upper end of a well casing, including abody having a vertical opening as large in diameter as the opening ofthe casing, an upwardly facing seat on the wall of the opening, a nippleto be attached to a string of tubing in the well, an annular enlargementon the nipple adapted to cooperate with the seat to support the tubing,the nipple projecting above the body, a head on the projecting portionof the nipple engageable by an elevator, and a cap closing the upper endof the body and housing the projecting portion of the nipple, said capbeing removable from the body to render the head accessible.

4. A tubing head for use on the upper end of a well casing, including abody having a vertical opening as large in diameter as the opening ofthe casing, an upwardly facing seat on the wall of the opening, a nippleto be attached to a string of tubing in the well,- an annular shoulderon the nipple adapted to cooperate with the seat to support the tubingand to seal the upper portion of the opening from the lower portion ofthe opening, there being ports in the body communicating with said upperand lower portions of the opening for the discharge of liquid and gasrespectively, a cap closing the upper end of the body and removable torender the nipple accessible for removal, and amt threaded into the capto hold the nipple against upward movement.

5. A tubing head for use on the upper end. of a well casing, including abody having a vertical opening as large in diameter as the opening ofthe casing, an upwardly i'acing seat on the wall of the opening, anipple to be attached to a string of tubing in the well, an annularshoulder on the nipple adapted to cooperate with the seat to support thetubing and to seal the upper portion of the opening from the lowerportion of the opening, there being ports in the body communicating withsaid upper and lower portions of the opening for the discharge of liquidand gas respectively, a cap closing the upper end of the body andremovable to render the nipple accessible for removal, a threaded partfor holding the shoulder on the seat, and a stuiilng box carried by thecap for sealing about a pump rod operating through the tubing.

6. A tubing head for use on the upper end of a well casing, including abody having a vertical opening as large in diameter as the opening ofthe casing, an upwardly facing seat on the wall of the opening, a nippleto be attached to a string or tubing in the well, an annular enlargementon the nipple adapted to cooperate with the seat to support the tubing,the nipple projecting above the body, a head on the projecting portionof the nipple formed for external engagement by an elevator, and a capclosing the upper end of the body and enclosing the projecting portionof the nipple and its head, the cap being removable to render the nippleaccessible for removal.

7. A tubing head including, a body to be attached to a well casing andhaving an opening communicating with the casing, an upwardly facing seatin the body opening, a member to be attached to the tubing and having aprojecting part to rest on the seat to support the tubing and toseparate the opposite end portions of the opening, a removable .cap onthe upper end of the body and means holding the tubing against upwardmovement, said means including an element threaded into the cap andbearing downwardly against said member.

WAL'I'ER N.- THOMPSON,

